Course Prerequisites: Math 232 (Calc 2)
Course Overview:
Math 381 is (likely) the first math course dealing with abstract concepts you will have
encountered. It serves as an introduction to proper proof technique and logical reasoning, necessary for
the clear and concise communication of ideas in higher level mathematics courses.
Homework:
I will post homework assignments in the form of problem sets on Sakai which you will write up
and return to me in class. You are encouraged to discuss problems and work together, although I expect
you to write up the solutions on your own and turn in your own homework. In essence, you should
understand your solutions without the use of notes when writing up your homework.
Due dates for these assignments will reflect the pace of the course and the material covered in
each lecture. I may adjust the due dates dependent on the pace with which the material is covered; I will
post any such changes to the schedule on the Sakai site and it is your responsibility to complete your
work by the due date. The lowest homework score will be dropped.
Lecture:
Class will begin at 8:00 and continue until 8:50. Attend every class and arrive in a timely fashion.
If you must leave early or arrive late, be respectful to both your fellow students and me and do so in a
way that will not disrupt the class. Participation is highly encouraged. Do not hesitate to ask questions:
actively engaging in discussion of the material is essential for developing a strong understanding.
Quizzes:
There will quizzes administered throughout the course, approximately one per week. The lowest
quiz score will be dropped. In addition, there will be warm-up problems at the beginning of most
lectures - you will have a few minutes to work on these before I collect them - which will together count
as one quiz over the whole course. There will be more points available through the warm-up problems
than on a quiz, so this should be an easy way to have a high scoring quiz (capped at 100).
Tests:
There will be three tests, tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 5, Wednesday, February
28, and Monday, April 2. Tests will be closed book, pencil and paper examinations. If the percentage
score you achieve on your final exam exceeds that of your lowest exam, your lowest exam percentage
will be replaced by your final exam percentage